Saturday, August 2, 2008

I have waited to post this last blog---- it is bittersweet for me. I had to take a poll to help confirm that I should indeed end this blog and merge it with my Smilesandtrials blog. While I have loved journaling all about our adoption journey to Ukraine, Dennis is now home, is a huge part of our family and therefore should be on our family blog. I will update you with this final post to share the huge strides Dennis has made since he has been home.

Thank you to all of you who have let the most encouraging and thoughtful comments. I appreciate them so much. Thank you to all that have contributed to our family in some way. What a huge blessing you have been to our family. I can't even begin to express how uplifting you have all been. God Bless you.

Just tonight John took this picture of Anna, Dennis, and I. I love it! He laid in my arms for an hour after this picture till he finally fell asleep. Did I mention that he is a sweaty little boy when he sleeps? :)

A couple of days ago, Dennis got this soft, homemade blanket and talking doggy. Thanks Jody for sending such a wonderful gift!

If Dennis could talk this is what he would be saying---"Oh no! My Mama caught me playing with her vacuum cleaner. Better pretend that I was playing with this piano instead."

Dennis is gaining weight! Since he was weighed during his medical exam in Ukraine he has gained four pounds---- in only 16 days!Here is Dennis getting ready for his bath on 7/19/08.Look at him on 8/1/08! He has filled out so much--- very little of his ribs show---- there is actual chunkiness forming around his thighs! He feels so much nicer in my arms--- not as fragile and not as bony!

I am just thrilled that he has taken off like he has since he came home.

Here are five huge noticeable changes that have taken place with our son Dennis.

1. He walks without help whereas when we first met him he had an awkward crawl and couldn't walk without our help.2. He coos, laughs, and jabbers up a storm. During the first week we heard very little sound from Dennis.3. He is an eating machine now that he is home! The first time I tried to feed him a banana, he gagged and spit it out, and I was concerned that he might have eating issues.4. Dennis is into everything if we let him ------ the cupboards, the movies, the puzzles, even the toilet! Awwwe!! That caught me off guard! Now all of us are closing the toilet seat and bathroom door for added precaution.5. Dennis is not shy around his siblings after all! In fact, Dennis loves all of them so much as they do him--- it is so obvious to everyone!

I have to admit that the first morning home, Dennis fell off the bed because I dozed off with him supposedly sleeping next to me. I felt like such a horrible mother for him falling off that I decided to show him how to get off by turning himself around and scooting off the side slowly until his feet hit the ground. Kid you not, I only had to show this kid once and now he is always scooting himself off the bed, that little turkey! I'm now rethinking what I have taught him. :)

He has his first consult with the pediatric plastic surgeon up at Valley Children's Hospital this Tuesday, August 5th. I have also talked with UCLA and Shriner's but feel at this time that going with this particular doctor is the best choice for Dennis and our family. Not only does this doctor come highly recommended but the hospital is fairly close by which means minimal travel and this doctor has already written two letters on our behalf to include as part of our dossier when we did all of our adoption paperwork.

Now please come join us over at our family blog where I will continue to share all about Dennis and how he is doing. And if you have any questions, please feel free to ask whenever.

I've followed your journey with fascination and have loved your blog! In fact, you inspired me to start a blog of my own to chronicle our family's 3rd.adoption from Kazakhstan...we'll travel in Sept to bring home 2 more children for a total of 5 kids. Thanks for sharing your story...and best of luck! We'll look forward to following along with the Reeds on Smiles and Trials...

It is such a blessing to see the great strides Dennis is making with the love of a family. I will continue to follow the whole gang on your family blog. I hope everything goes well at the appointment on Tuesday. Many blessings from our family to yours...Stephanie

Dennis is a VERRRY bright and curious little boy. It really shows in everything he does. I am so glad that he is now with you and living in an environment where that intelligence and curiousity are free to bloom :-)

What a wonderful ride. I have loved following your adoption of this little guy. I think that even though you have faced a few challenges you have risen to the situation.I am glad that you have found a doctor that you feel comfortable trusting with your little man. I will start to follow the other blog.Joy

Christine - Thank you so much for allowing us to "travel" with your family through your adoption journey. Reading stories from people like you help me realize that in the end this will all be worth it and I need to keep my focus on God. Dennis looks like such a sweet, beautiful boy!! Thank you - Staci

Wow, you can definitely tell how he has filled out! That is awesome! He is doing so well in your family and I am so happy that he has all of you. It is also exciting that he is not shy around his siblings...what a blessing.

I will be following your story on your family blog. Thanks for sharing everything with us and I look forward to continuing in your journey.

It’s been a while since I’ve left a comment but I have been checking in often. The ‘Dennis is home’ video is beautiful; I had tears in my eyes watching it. He really is blossoming with all that love in your home. I am so glad he has gained a little weight, that is good and in such a short time too. What a great photo to end the ride with, I have definitely enjoyed tagging along. I agree, I think it’s perfect now that Dennis is home to merge this blog with your other one. I would love to follow along.

Hello we are a Spanish family that I have known through the blog and Gerardo Laura. Tell you that I am worthy of admiration tennis a family very beautiful and very large full of love and it shows in the faces of all your children and not on the face of tennis that you happiness at seeing your children. Encata I read and see pictures of your family. We have a girl three months ago that we adopted in Ukraine, we are very happy and we are also looking forward to more adportar to another, not whether it would be possible, but strive to achieve.

That picture of the 11 of them is amazing!! You are such an encouragement. Of course, I just spent the last hour reading posts & watching video, crying and admiring your stamina to raise a family & remain in the Faith - true to the God that has clearly blessed you! I love seeing Dennis flourish in just the last few posts and you can TELL the four pounds and the smile on his face! What a doll :)

I remember seeing Dennis' picture on Reeses Rainbow. My husband even commented that he was a cute little guy. That night we prayed for him to find a wonderful family. This was quite a while ago but I continued to pray for him, he was always in my thoughts. I cried when I read this! I read your whole story! Iam so elated for you, your blessed family, and most of all for that sweet boy I thought of quite often. Congratulations on the arrival of your new son! Now you to will be in my prayers. And I love the picture of you two in the tub. What a wonderful moment.litergy@hotmail.com

Hello there first of all thanks for stopping on my blog. I found your blog so informative & Entertaining as the above mentioned post is concern it was gr8. specially i want to tall some about your cute boy. I feel sad & shocked to see. what happened with this beautiful child May god give him long & Blessed life. Please bring some chocolates / cookies for Dennis form My side too. Waiting for your next Post too. With love from Pakistan

Just finished the whole blog from beginning to end in two days. what an awesome adventure. So glad Dennis came into your lives and you never gave up through the long journey. You two are amazing parents! And have a wonderful and beautiful family. Now back to work on Smiles and Trials. Rebecca (from Sacramento.)

Now that we are home should I....

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Thank you for stopping by. This is the story of our journey to Ukraine to adopt a son. Please join us on this ride at full speed ahead as we make a path that will ultimately lead to one of God's most precious gifts. A child.